Base-branding machine



Feb. 3, 1931'. J. E. FERGUSON BASE BRANDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 2 Sheots$heet 1 INVENTOR Job/2 Eli/9060a.

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 3, 1931 I 1,791,303

[UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN E. FERGUSON, or BLOOMFIEDLNEW JERSEY, ASSIGINOR Pro wEsrI enousE LAMP coMr NY, A CORPORATIONOI PENNSYLVANIA BASE-BRANDING MACHINE Application am September 27, 926. Serial No. 137361.

This invention relates to a machine for the plain and scored areas leavingthe markmarking articles and more-particularly to the in clear and legible. I marking of curved surfaces. hen the invention is practiced for printv 1 It is often desirable-to provide a machine ing or branding radiotron bases a. machine which will give a smooth even marking as may be provided comprising a conveyor hav- 50 b when printing a legend upon a curvedobject lng thereon a plurality of sockets to receive such for example as a base of a radiotron or bases disposed in spaced relation. Aprintthe like. ing member or die havin a' flat printing Heretofore when applyinga marking to the surface may be disposed ad acent to the path l0 curved exterior surface of a cylindrical obof movement f the co eyor r enfi wi h 55 ject printing members have been provided the h The die may be held in What may with the curvature of their printing surface h termed a fioatlng or self-adgustmg rela- 1 i onfor ti ith th curved surface t tlon to the bases so that the curved surface b printedupon of a base may be rolled over the die; the

It was th f ti l t p id diff floating action of the latter compensating for 60 cut sized printin members for different sized y Y P in the diameter of the base objects to be prmted; making the printi thus insuring a firm and even contact. equi ment of l ti l hi h i iti l d The invention W111 be more fully undermaintenance cost. Furthermore, the dimenstood y reference to, the p ly igns of a given type of objects to be printed, rawlng 1n whlch Fig. 1s a front elevational 65 A such, for mstance, as radiotron bases, may Y Q a m p 9 y g the P SF vary slightly due to manufacturing inacculnventlon; F 2 1s a a r n base ShOWlIlg racle's and thus cause defective or poorly impl 0 i1 eg d e by the e pressed ins ri ti ent 11330111118. F g. 1s a top new 0 the An object of the present invention is theremachme h In g- E g- 4 1S e- 70 fore to provide a plane surfaced printing tlfmal detall f taken 111.16 V Y 111 member and in causinga co-relation of move- F 5 a sectlonel detail VleW ment between an obJect to be printed and taken 9 V" 1n F g- 3 and Shows an th i ti be t produce an i ad3ustable die and a reslhent support theresion on the formen. for. '75

Although the'present invention is appli- Amachme constltqtmg aPmctlcal cable for the impression. of a printing mem ment 2 the Present mvenfilon y comprlse her updn any curved Surface it will be a bearing bracket 10, havmg a base plate 11 scribed as employed for themarkingrof a suitably secured to a table 12; A bearing radiotron base composedof a'substance of a material such as a condensation product g gggi g ggigi j FEZ F Z i E E capable of being marked or branded by concircular reinforced plam F wltha heatefi Pl' b A P P The conveyor is provided with a plurality mg member havmg the Psual mlsed lettefing of sockets disposed in spaced relation along 5 when heated and PP to a composltlon its perimeter. The sockets 16 may be of such base leaves a clear and distinct impression di io as t fit a given t f b 16' since the contacting portions of the letters shown i Fi 2, B se f thi type are slightly singe the glazed surface of the base provided with a laterally extending pin 17 '46 and a difference in color is produced between and a slot 18is provided in the sockets so that portion 13 of the bracket 10,is adapted to roso i when a base is inserted the pin thereof may frictionally engage with the edges of a slot" terior surfaces of the bases for contact Witha. printing member in a manner to be presently described.

Each socket is provided with an axially disposed hollow spindle 21, one end of which is secured to the socket, the opposite'end extending through a hub on the conveyor and having a pinion 23 secured thereto for rotating the socket when a base disposed within a socket is moved against a die or printing member 24. The printing member may be mounted adjacent to the path of movement of the sockets so that as a socket passes the die the exposed area of a base will make contact therewith to receive an impression. The present device employs a die heated by fires 2'5 in the form of gas flames so that when the composition base makes contact with the printing surface of the die, which is preferably of metal, a scoring or singeing of the surface will occur, leaving the inscription clearly legible and irradicable.

The die 24 may be held, in adjustable relation to the bases to be marked, by rods 26 and 27 (see Fig. 5). An end of each rod is loosely attached to a die box 28 by 31 provided at each side of the box. The opposite end of each rod extends through .a plate 32 and is provided with a helical spring 33 disposed between a stop 34 secured to a rod and the late 32. The rod is thus urged away from the plate and stop nuts 35 are provided at the end of each rod to limit the movement thereof under the action of its spring and hold the die box with the die therein resiliently in position.

The plate 32 throughwhich the rods 26 and '27 extend may be supported by frames 36 and 37 and guide frames 38 and 39 are provided to aid in aligning the rods during movement with the die box 28. The die 24 may be held in the die box by set screws 41. By this arrangement the die may be held in resilient contact with a base and at the same time may have a rocking movement to allow for any irregularities that may occur on the different bases being marked.

As above set forth each of the sockets 16 is provided with a pinion 23 so that when a socket reaches an operative position with respect to the die it will be given a partial rotation. For this purpose a ring 42, having atoothed portion 43 is provided. The ring may have a foot-piece 44 suitably secured to the table 12 and may be so disposed with relation to the conveyor that when the sockets are moved to position for the printing operation, the pinions 23 mesh with the toothed portion 43 and give the sockets and consequently the bases therein the necessary rotapins 29 in slots menace tion to produce the rolling action in contact pinions 23 are therefore each provided with a pair of pins 45. During the movement of the sockets to and from the toothed portion 43 the pins 45 make contact with an extended flange 46 on the ring 42 and the sockets are held from relative movement with respect to the conveyor. The flange 46 terminates at the beginning of the toothed portion 43, however, leaving the sockets free to rotate when the pinions 23 mesh with the toothed portion 43 and the bases are rolled over the surface of the printing member. The toothed seg: ment or portion 43 is equal in length to the circumference of a pinion 23 thus a socket is given a complete revolution so as to again position the pins 45 for contact with the flange 46 a The conveyor 15 may be rotated by any suitable source of power as by a motor (not shown) which may be connected by a chain 47 to a sprocket 48 at one end of a stub shaft 49 mounted in a bearing 51. The other end of the shaft 49 is provided with a gear wheel 52 disposed in mesh with a gear wheel 53 secured to an end of the shaft 14 upon which the conveyor 16 is mounted.

After a base has been printed or branded it may be removed by the operator and means may be provided for automatically ejecting the bases. As shown in the drawing the present machine provides an air nozzle 54 which may be connected to any suitable air pressure line. The nozzle is so disposed as to be directed into apertures or passages 55 in the hollow spindles 21 which communicate to the interior of the bases in the sockets.

When an aperture 55 moves in to alignment with the air nozzle the air pressure serves to eject the base which may drop into a guide or chute 56 for delivery into a suitable receptacle.

In operation the machine is preferably positioned so that the conveyor rotates in a vertical plane. The bases are loaded at A the conveyor moving in the direction indicated by the arrow X. Usually the operator loads all the sockets within reach thus giving ample time for the loading operation even though the movement of the conveyor is continuous. During loading, the sockets are obviously not rotating since the pins 45 hold the sockets with the apertures 19 in fixed positions as the bases are moved toward the printing member.

When a base is moved into contact with of the surfaces of the bases.

I indicated in dotted lines in Fig. l. When no base is engaging with the die the surface 24" made at one side thereof and the rolling action of the'base results in a contact over the entire surface of the die. This is only possible by reason of resilient support which makes the die self-adjusting.

After branding the bases move to position under the air jet and are ejected, at which time the sockets are positioned to receive new bases when reaching the loading stage A. It is of course obvious that although the machine is shown as adapted to be loaded by hand that the bases may be loaded automaticall especially since the whole operation of 10a ing and printing is continuous. Only one die or printing member is shown but it is evident that several adjustable dies may be used as where a large area is to be printed upon.

Althougha preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described herein it is to .be understood that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and sco e of the invention as set forth in the appen ed claims.

What is claimed is: v

1. A machine for marking the cylindrical surface of a radio tube or the like comprising a conveyor, a plurality of rotatable sockets" on said conveyor to receive the base portions of tubes, a printing member disposed adja cent to the path of movement of said conveyor, means for resiliently su porting said printing member for contact w1th the cylindrical surfaces of bases, means for moving said conveyor and means for rotating said bases when in contact with saidPrinting member.

2. A machine for marking the cylindrical surfaces of radio tube bases or the like comprising a conveyor, a plurality of sockets on said conveyor to recelve bases, said sockets having portions removed to expose portions of the cylindrical .surfaces of bases, means for holding said bases with given portions exposed, a printing member, means for resiliently supporting said member, means for moving said conveyor to bring said exposed surfaces in contact with said printing memher and means for rotating said bases during contact with said member.

3. A machine for marking. the cylindrical surfaces of radio tube bases or the'like comprising a conveyor, a plurality of holders on said conveyor to receive bases, means for retaining bases in given positions in said holders, a printing member adjacent to the path of movement of said conveyor and means for adjusting said holders to present given surfaces of said bases to said printing member.

for rotatin for holding said sockets against rotation during a partial movement of the conveyor, a printing member positioned to contact with the surfaces of said bases during a partial movement of said conveyor and means for ro- "tating said bases during contact with said printing member. I

5. A machine for marking the-cylindrical surfaces of radio tube bases or the like comprising a holder, means for adjusting a base in a given position in said holder, a printing member, means for adjusting said holder to present a 'ven portion of the surface of a base to sai printing member and means for engagin sa1d surface with said member. 6. A mac ine for marking the cylindrical surfaces of radio tube bases or the like comprising a holder, means for ad'usting a base in a 'ven position in said hol er, a printing mem er, means for adjusting said holder to present a given portion of the surface of a base to said printing member, means for engaging said surface with said member and means for rotating said holder during the engagement of said surface and said printing member.

7. A machine for marking the cylindrical surface of radio tube bases or the like comprising aholde'r, means for retaining a base in a g1ven relative position in said holder, a printing member, means for moving said holder to engage a portion of the surface of a base with said rinting member and means sa1d holder during contact between said ase and said printing member.

8. A machine for marking the cylindrical surface of a radio tube base or the like comrising a base receiving socket, said socket having a window to expose a given ortion of the surface of a base, a slot in sai socket to receive the side pin of a base to adjust the base with a given surface ex sed through said window, a printing mem er and means for moving said holder to bring the exposed surface of said base into contact with said member.

9. A machine for marking the cylindrical surface of a radio tube base or the like com-' prising a base receiving socket, said socket having a window to expose a given portion of the surface of a base, a slot in said socket to receive the side pin of a base to adjust the base with a given surface ex osed through said window, a printing mem er, means for resiliently supporting sa1d member, means .for moving said holder to bring the exposed risin a Hat rintin member a eu sha d holder to rece ive the base, saiii hol der h 3;- ing a portion removed to expose a-portion of the surface of the base to be marked, a spindle extending from said holder, a bearing for said spindle, a pinion on said spindle, a gear rack adapted to mesh with said pinion, a printing member positioned to engage theexposed surface of said base and.1neans for changing the relative positions of said rack and imon to efi'ect a rotation of said exposed surface of the base over said printing nwndwr.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 25th day of September,

v JOHN E. FERGUSON.

memos 

